photo credits @ LottoNL-Jumbo
Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) opened up his Spring Classics account in fine fashion today, after winning Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, which saw the Dutch rider hold-off Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) to claimed the famous cobbled race.
A late breakaway group containing Julien Duval (AG2R La Mondiale), Julien Vermote (Dimension Data) and Loic Vliegen (BMC Racing) managed to ride clear of the main field during the final few kilometers.
Duval and Vliegen were eventually reeled back in by a fast charging peloton under the auspices of Lotto Soudal and LottoNL-Jumbo, while Vermote remained out front until the closing 150 meters where the Belgian rider was swept up by Démare et al.
But, waiting on Démare’s wheel was Groenewegen, who timed his final acceleration to perfection, sprinting past his French rival during the waning moments of the race to seize the honors.
Meanwhile, Colbrelli crossed the line in third to claim the final spot on the podium.
Race Highlights
It took almost 30 kilometers of racing and a series of attacks before the day’s first breakaway group containing Truls Korsaeth (Astana), Gedaminas Bagdonas (Ag2r La Mondiale), Marco Marcato (UAE Team Emirates), Piet Allegaert (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise), Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis), Romain Cardis (Direct Energie) and Ben Perry (Israel Cycling Academy) managed to ride clear.
Back in the peloton, Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First-Drapac), along with a sizable group of around 21 riders, broke clear of the main field, subsequently opening up an advantage of more than half a minute as they approached the climb of the Kluisberg.
The race remained in stasis until the last few kilometers, where Duval initiated an attack during the final lap, but was quickly joined by Vermote followed by Vliegen.
Vermote appeared to be the strongest of the three riders as they clung to a slight advantage during the final kilometers, while the peloton loomed behind.
All but Vermote were caught during the closing few hundred meters, as the chase led by Démare swept past.
Groenewegen was the first rider to respond to Démare’s aggressions, but initially missed a big split in the bunch as Jasper Stuyven, Greg Van Avermaet and Matteo Trentin went up the road.
However, thanks to a concerted effort on the part of his LottoNL- Jumbo team, Groenewegen found his way back into the fold.
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2018
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
2. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ
3. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
4. Pim Ligthart (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij
5. Justin Jules (Fra) WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic
6. Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) BMC Racing
7. Guillaume Boivin (Can) Israel Cycling Academy
8. Lukasz Wisniowski (Pol) Team Sky
9. Julien Vermote (Bel) Dimension Data
10. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert